The start of the roadworks along the A28 Chart Road, which were due to begin imminently, have been delayed.

Kent County Council (KCC) today confirmed that the £26 million project has been delayed for the foreseeable future.

Both KCC and Ashford Borough Council (ABC) said the works have been put on hold until the developer of the 5,750 homes at Chilmington is in a better position to provide guarantees to cover the cost of the works.

The multi-million pound project will turn the busy main road into a dual carriageway between the Tank roundabout and Matalan.

Already work on the road has begun including land acquisitions, initial vegetation clearance and negotiations with utility companies which KCC have assured will not be wasted as it will 'form the basis of the construction works for when they start'.

It is believed that houses will soon be built on the new housing development in the upcoming months and will not be affected by the delay.

KCC Leader Paul Carter said: “Although this delay is frustrating, especially in view of all the hard work that has been delivered to date, it is right that we wait until the developer is better able to guarantee repayment of cost of the works.”

ABC Leader Gerry Clarkson added: “It is a setback but I can assure our residents that the proposed widening and improvement works for the A28 will still be delivered.”